Books – Annie Cathryn

THE FRIENDSHIP BREAKUP, a suburban “mom-com” pitched as BAD MOMS meets MEAN GIRLS, in which a mom is suddenly ghosted by the neighborhood mom group and she’s both determined to find out why and get back in their good graces.

For fans of Laura Hankin and Jennifer Weiner, this fresh, clever, and complex debut “mom-com” explores the bonds of friendship—and the bounds of loyalty.

A plucky protagonist who’s far from figuring it all out—but powers through with wit and determination—will instantly capture readers.

Fallon Monroe, mother of one, self-help book junkie, and budding chocolatier, has always relied on her neighborhood friends to get her through the trials of adulthood. So when her bestie Beatrice inexplicably starts ghosting her and takes all their mutual friends with her, Fallon’s left wondering how everything went so wrong. Pushing down a lifetime of insecurities, Fallon doubles down and decides to win them back. First, she hosts an epic Mexican Fiesta that goes epically wrong. Then she joins a friendship app but discovers a disturbing secret about one of her new friends—a discovery that will test the strength of her loyalty to Beatrice.

Just when she’s about to throw in the towel on the whole friendship mess, Fallon reads a recently unearthed letter she’d refused to deal with decades earlier—and reading it forces her to finally face the deep-seated fears she’d desperately tried to bury. Now, looking at her friendships through fresh eyes, she must decide between hanging on and letting go.

Fallon is an instantly likeable heroine—as vulnerable as she is determined—and she’ll have readers eagerly turning the pages as they join her on an emotional journey into the hopes and fears of adulthood.

ADVANCE PRAISE for The Friendship Breakup

“The best books shed light on what many think but few have the courage to say—and that’s precisely what The Friendship Breakup does. In this warm and witty story, Annie Cathryn paints a portrait of a woman who must let go of her preconceived notions of what her life should be like in order to find out who she really is—and become her own best friend.”

“Just the escapist romp I needed. An easy read full of relatable mom drama, memorable meltdowns, and laugh out loud moments. Fans of Lea Geller and Kathleen West who enjoy witty banter and wicked funny interior dialogue will love this novel.”

“Every woman has a ghost story—where someone disappears from her life with no explanation. So when Fallon’s friends freeze her out, her determination to fix those relationships will both resonate and make you text your bestie to remind her you love her. But what begins as a mission to salvage her friendships turns into a journey of self-acceptance and coming to terms with the fact that some friendships aren’t meant to last forever. Perfect to read by the beach or pool with your favorite iced coffee (or in those stolen moments in the carpool line), The Friendship Breakup will have you both laughing and savoring the journey like it was one of Fallon’s chocolates. Sharp, witty, and relevant to everyone who has ever outgrown a friend.”

“Annie Cathryn’s debut, The Friendship Breakup is a highly entertaining and snort-thru-your-nose-funny look at female friendships—the politics, the allegiances, the mudslinging in the suburban mommy world—that at its core is a love letter to our deep need for community, connection and most importantly, to knowing our own heart. Put it at the top of your reading list!”

"Sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking. The Friendship Breakup is a heartwarming tale of letting go of what holds you back and embracing the possibilities of life on one’s own terms."

"When Fallon is dumped by her best friends, the hit touches on the deep-seated insecurities she's managed to keep at bay. But when she uncovers a letter she had long-ago forgotten, she begins a journey of healing and self-discovery. At once heartwarming and humorous, The Friendship Breakup is smart, layered, and captures the all-too-familiar nuances of being a friend, staying a friend, and learning when to let go. Written with emotional depth while capturing our most profound vulnerabilities, Cathryn is an author to watch. A novel with a big heart that will captivate readers."

“A fun story that moms of young children will empathize with.”